Sarah, Plain and Tall

Author:Patricia MacLachlan
Genre: Fiction
Awards: Newbery Medal Winner, Scott o'Dell Award for Historical Fiction for Children, Golden Kite Award for Fiction
Grade Level: 3rd - 5th 

Anna, Caleb, and Papa, Jacob,  had their mother unexpectedly stolen from them by Caleb's birth. Papa comes to the realization that he can no longer care for his farm and two children; so he sets out a ad for a wife. Papa gets this idea from a friend, and he breaks the news to Anna and Caleb when Sarah, a woman from Maine who lives by the sea, answers. Sarah and Jacob agree for Sarah to visit for a month to see how life would be. Anna secretly  hopes for Sara to stay even though she misses her mother, and Caleb clings to Sarah the moment he lays her eyes on her. Sarah misses the see after a while, and returns home. Later that evening; Anna and Caleb's attitude perk up when they see Sarah coming from the distant; to stay for good. 


This book is short, simple, and sweet. However, I would not use this book in my classroom since it is not age appropriate. This would be a great read for readers transitioning into lengthy and complex chapter books. Students could write about the different types of characters and emotions the characters go through at the beginning, middle, and end of the book. 

Pictures of Hollis Woods

Author: Patricia Reilly Giff
Genre: Fiction
Awards: Newbery Honor Book
Grade Level: 4th - 6th

Hollis Woods has had it tough ever since she was born; she was abandoned as a baby with only a note saying, "call her Hollis Woods." Hollis is very talented in her art, however this does not satisfy her. Hollis is just a lonely child wanting to belong to a family; her wish. Hollis is in the foster care system, and contentiously runs away from the families she is placed with. Hollis has the Regan family and spends a lot of her time with Josie, who has dementia. Hollis runs away from the Regan family when a horrible accident occurs. Time after time, Hollis is loved. When Hollis finally decides to be loved, she gets a family of her own; Hollis now has a mother, a father, a brother, and two sisters. Hollis has 14 pictures throughout her time that demonstrate and reflect how she feels, who is important to her, and what is significant in her life. The last picture is of Hollis and her new family.

This book is a great read for students who are interested in drama, and is realistic. The emotions and feelings Hollis feel are very true, and reflect what other foster children are possibly going through. I think children who are struggling or simply interested can relate to this book. I would not use this book in my classroom because it is not age appropriate. Students could use this book to complete a book report, or become familiar with plot, setting, characters, and other elements of a book.